Communication studies major Edhaya Thennarasu ’21 is an avid student of cultures. She moved to Rhode Island from India at 17, leaving behind her family and childhood home to study abroad. She wanted to attend an East Coast college for the cultural experience it promised.
鈥淚鈥檝e always felt connected to the culture here. The second I walked onto campus, I thought, 鈥楾his is like being in Harry Potter.鈥� The sunsets here, the beaches鈥擱hode Island is a beautiful place. I was really afraid to take the huge step of moving, but I wouldn鈥檛 change anything I have done because of everything I have learned,鈥� Thennarasu says. 鈥淐ommunication Studies has taught me who I am and how I can talk to people better and be a better version of myself.鈥�
Real-world experiences
At 911爆料, Thennarasu has had the opportunity to put theory into practice and broaden her cultural awareness. On spring break in an impoverished area of Peru last year, she participated in 911爆料鈥檚 Alternative Spring Break, a program providing students interested in activism, service, and leadership with opportunities to work in communities in need here and abroad. Thennarasu and her fellow students were in Peru to study 911爆料 resilience in poor communities. She wanted to understand how people who have so very little could be so very happy.
鈥淲e engaged in participatory action research to learn why their communication works so well,鈥� Thennarasu says. 鈥淲e wanted to understand their perspective, their way of living. The people we studied retained traditional practices and the good parts of modern living and created something sustainable,鈥� she says.
‘Step outside yourself’
The Harrington School of Communication and Media student said her 911爆料 experience has exceeded her expectations.
鈥淓very step of the way, I鈥檝e been reassured about my decision,鈥� Thennarasu says. 鈥淭he professors are great. There are a lot of courses to choose from. You can triple major if you want. You get so much attention.鈥�
Thennarasu quoted 鈥淭he Summer Day鈥� a poem by Mary Oliver that begins with a question: 鈥淭ell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?鈥欌�� She smiles. 鈥淢y answer is, I want to give everything I have back to the world.鈥�
Her advice to students? 鈥淪tep outside of yourself. Make yourself as uncomfortable as you possibly can be. Every single time you鈥檙e afraid to do something, do it,鈥� Thennarasu says. 鈥淚f I feel a little nervous in the moment, I know I鈥檓 probably doing the right thing.鈥�